Linked FPGA-PCB Project Changes - Changing FPGA Devices

At some point during the design process, it is quite possible that the desired target FPGA device may change. A larger device might be required or a decision to change vendors might be made.

As a first step, the process outlined in Automatically Linking FPGA and PCB Projects should be followed. If the FPGA To PCB Project Wizard is used, a new bottom level, auto-generated schematic sheet will be created.

The old sheet – generated based on the previous target device – can then be removed. The sheet symbol for the old sheet should be replaced with that for the new sheet. It is likely that these sheet symbols will be very similar since most ports will likely be in common. Obviously the more fundamental the change of device, the larger scale the changes are likely to be throughout the schematic.

Using the traditional Update PCB command from the Design menu in the schematic, the new component can then be placed on the PCB, if one exists. Then, with the new FPGA target device in place in both FPGA and PCB projects, it is a simple matter of referring to the FPGA Workspace Map dialog to ensure that the projects remain synchronized and any further design changes are passed through the relevant links accordingly.